Why establish paternity

There are many benefits to establishing paternity. First, a finding of paternity may increase a child's standard of living. A court will not order child support payments from a father unless paternity is established. Additionally, paternity may allow a child to benefit from a parent's medical insurance coverage, as well as government programs such as social security, disability and veterans payments.

The child may also have the benefit of a future inheritance. In some cases, a determination of paternity may save a child's life. Paternity provides doctors with access to a child's full family medical history, which may be vital in a medical emergency or in taking preventative steps to avoid a particular medical condition.

A finding of paternity can also benefit a father. While a determination of paternity increases parental obligations, it also allows fathers to have visitation rights and become involved in their children's lives. Finally, if the child was born out of wedlock overseas to a noncitizen mother and a citizen father, the United States will grant citizenship to the child if the citizen father establishes paternity before the child turns Once legal paternity is established, the father takes on rights and responsibilities for the child, including visitation or custody and child support.

Also, you can get a copy of this form by calling the West Virginia Office of Vital Statistics at Signing this form is the easiest way for unmarried parents to establish paternity. If paternity is established through genetic testing, a hearing will be held to establish child support for the child.

You can find contact information for your local BCSE office here. Under the law, the Family Court can refuse to do this even if DNA tests prove that he is not the biological father. You can ask BCSE to help you or you can ask a lawyer to help you.

There are many reasons to establish paternity. It provides benefits to the father, mother and child. Legal paternity must be established to request a court order for custody, parenting time visitation , and child support.

When children know they are part of a family, they are likely to be more secure about who they are and where they come from. Establishing paternity identifies the father's side of the family and may encourage contact with other family members, such as grandparents, uncles, aunts, or other relatives. It also may give children the opportunity to learn about and appreciate their cultural heritage.

Children respond to love and support from both parents. They need to know who their father is and that he cares about them. Both parents have a right to establish a healthy relationship with and responsibility to care for their child. Benefits A child has a right to benefits from both parents. Medical information Knowing the medical histories of both biological parents can be important if the family has any health problems.

How is paternity established? There are two main ways parents can establish paternity when they are not married: Unmarried parents can establish paternity voluntarily. This means they agree to name the father of the child; or Unmarried parents can ask the local family court to help establish paternity.

This usually involves DNA paternity testing also referred to as genetic testing. Four places to establish paternity You can get the Affidavit form needed to establish paternity: In the hospital at birth, the father's name may be added to the birth record free of charge up until the time the hospital files the birth certificate.